Even if it achieved particular results in environmental protection and promotion of the green economy during the past few years, the Republic of Moldova has yet to work to improve the environmental components and to further promote the development of green economy, reduce emissions, recycle waste and not only. The subject was discussed in a roundtable meeting entitled “Zero pollution for healthier people and a healthier planet” that was staged in connection with the EU Green Week, IPN reports.
According to Minister of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Ion Perju, the policies related to environmental protection are a priority on the Government’s agenda, while the activities of the state institutions and expert organizations carried out in concert with the foreign development partners are aimed at achieving the environmental protection objectives, implementing the commitments undertaken through the Association Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the EU and the provisions stipulated in the environmental strategy for 2014-2023 and the sector environmental protection strategies.
According to him, the Republic of Moldova intends to further promote green economic development. The Ministry considers it is opportune to continue to harmonize the EU legislation on the environment, especially as regards the management of waste, wastewater and chemical substances, nature protection and improvement of the quality of air. The normative framework on industrial emissions, the waste management program and the action plan should be developed.
Daniela Cujbă, secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, said that by taking part in the EU Green Week this year, the Ministry, together with the partners, aim to carry out activities to inform society about the importance of reasonable consumption of natural resources, the importance of recycling and managing waste and everyone’s contribution to achieving these objectives by daily involvement. The Association Agreement plays an essential role in achieving the national objectives related to the environment and climate change. A common approach based on coherence is needed. The cooperation within the Eastern Partnership in 2021 should acquire new dimensions that would reflect the EU’s and the partners’ ambitions to ensure climate neutrality and to integrate environmental aspects in all the sectors.
Christian Ballaro, Program Office for Energy, Climate Change, Coordination and Regional Development at the EU Delegation to Moldova, said “zero pollution for healthier people and a healthier planet” is a major priority all over the world as everyone realized that the planet’s future depends on the adopted decisions. Climate change and environmental degradation occur at a high speed and amplify each other. That’s why the necessity of acting has never been clearer. The EU undertook the role of a leader in the global fight against climate change by the European Green Deal, which is a roadmap to make Europe a clean continent until 2050. To achieve this objective, everyone will need to show involvement and responsibility.
EU Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius noted that Moldova is a key partner of the EU in the EaP as it showed its wish to come closer to the EU and to make efforts to implement the Association Agreement. He voiced hope that Moldova supports the EU’s ambitions under the European Green Deal as regards nature protection and reduction of pollution. Cooperation should be stepped up in such sections as water and waste management, reduction of pollution and nature protection. The transition to a cleaner circular economy can be this way ensured.
Marina Lungu, of the Environmental Agency, said that about 70% of the rivers in Moldova are “very polluted”, while the rest are “moderately polluted”. Almost half of the monitored rivers have large or very large ammonium concentrations, most of them being part of the Nistru River Basin. The rivers from the Prut Basin are the least polluted ones.
